Malta, NY – David T. Wallingford, 81, died March 25, 2025 at his home on Saratoga Lake. A lifelong resident of the Capital District, David graduated from the Vincentian Institute in Albany, NY before continuing his education at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. After graduating from The Cross in 1967, David proudly served his country as a United States Marine during the Vietnam War.

David was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1970 as a captain. For his service in Vietnam, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation and various campaign medals and ribbons. David was active in many veterans causes, including the Town of Malta Veterans Committee, the Marine Corps Coordinating Council, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and the Stratton VA Medical Center. David was named the American Red Cross's military hero of the year in 2017 for his work with veterans. He was a recipient of the New York State Senate Liberty Medal and was an inductee into the New York State Senate's Veterans' Hall of Fame. David's lifetime of service was recognized when the Malta Veterans Memorial Park was named in his honor in 2021.

David also was an active member of his local community. He served on the board of the Saratoga County Water Authority, Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District, the Town of Malta Planning Board and the Friends of the New York State Military Museum. His professional career included serving the State Division of Veterans' Affairs as Special Assistant to the Director, as well as Deputy Director for the Northeast. He also served as Regional Administrator for the Division of Employment services for the State Labor Department.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Helene (Hill) Wallingford; his four children, David Wallingford (Lauren Tobias), Janene Capecci (Steve), Brian Wallingford (Renee), and Karen Wallingford; as well as eight grandchildren—Hannah, Isabel, Owen, Samantha, Charlie, Dominic, Emma, and Cooper.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Anne (Downey), sisters (Mary and Peg), and brother (Arthur, junior).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at St. Clement's Church, 231 Lake Ave.

Burial with military honors will be private and at the family's convenience.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to Malta Veterans Appreciation Program (maltavets.com) or Friends of the New York State Military Museum , 61 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com